Hiking with a tripod, what to look for

kedo_b

kedo_b

Suspended / Banned
Messages
27
Name
Keith
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all, I have been lurking here for a bit and have finally decided to add my voice to the forum :)

I'm a bit of a newbie and am looking to get my first tripod for Chrimbo and was looking for some advice.

After reading a lot of threads I've came to the conclusion that buying cheap is a bad idea and that the redsnapper legs and heads are the mutts nutts and represent plenty bang for buck.

The one thing that worries me about carrying a tripod is getting it completely soaked and boggin, as I will be taking into the hills, and how this will affect them. Should I be looking at getting a trekking specific pod like the benbo trekker, or can all legs deal with the wet reasonably well?

Also how do tripods get on if you place them in rivers or whatever? Should this be only done by the likes of the benbo or is it just a case of sorting them out when you finally get back home, and not leaving them in their bag to rot until the next time?

Finally is there anything out there that would compare to the redsnapper legs and head for a similar price and maybe a bit lighter, considering it will be going up hills with me?

These may be totally simple questions, but just want to know before I throw my money at a pod.

Thanks for the advice in advance!!
 
Different strokes , he say Manfrotto , she say Benbo.....:p

depends if you are young and fit,if so weight not over crucial, but a good FIRM tripod is, if it is nice and light to carry it might be easily blown in the wind, you also want a hook at the bottom of the centre column

To hook the bag on for more support.
You can also clean them when you get back from the trip

I always give mine a blast of WD 40 before I go out as well.
Red Snapper does have a good name on here ,but I haven't used one.

Spend wisely and it will serve you for years.....
 
This is very relevant to me too, i'm looking at the red snapper's too, and il also be hiking with it. I had an old jessops brand generic £30 tripod that lasted me a few years, and i put that in rivers a few times for certain things, and never had any major problems with it until the head fell off with my camcorder on it (completely unrelated to the river but still terrifying!)

Im assuming the red snapper will handle water just the same. So long as you dry the legs off before you slide them back in i don't see how there could be any problems, and even that wouldn't matter so long as you didn't leave them indefinitely. I don't know if saltwater would be okay though.

The benbo is nice, but rather more pricey than the red snapper.
 
I'm considering the Slik Sprint Pro II and have raised a question about it in this thread http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=186273 although at present, it doesn't look like anyone has any experience with it. It is light, so would meet hiking requirements, but I am unsure about the stability as it is a lot of money to spend if it's not going to be any better than my current Jessops cheapy.

May be another one for you to consider though.
 
The most important aspect of a tripod for hiking for me is weight. I take my kit hill walking and I looked for the lightest legs and lightest head consistent with what I wanted from the tripod.

I persoanlly would not like to hike a long way with the Benbo, although it is good for submerging the legs in water. I bought recently a 4 section Manfrotto 190 CFPRO, mainly due to the weight. Carbon fibre legs are impervious to water although the fittings are not, sea water is a killer but OK if you wash them off after you get home and spray with WD40 or similar.

I have the Manfrotto 055 and a Benbo Mk1 and there is no way I could take those with me on a hill walk.

People speak well of the Red Snapper although I have not experienced them, have a look at their Carbon Fibre model and check out the weights of several others. I think carbon fibre is the way to go for lightness.

If money is no object then the Gitzo CF models would be the way to go, I suspect like me that is not really an option.

There is a company called Benro that make a CF tripod called the Travel Angel and a head for around £220. It is a copy of the Gitzo and extremely well made, several people on here have bought them and speak well of them.

The dis-advantage is they are sold from China or Hong Kong and that can be a problem if things go wrong.

In hindsight I wish I had bought one instead of the Manfrotto, c'est la vie!

Like most things in photography it is a compromise, weight v stability, light v speed, quality v cost.

I hope this helps.

Paul
 
I own the Redsnapper & highly recommend it....

However I very rarely take it whilst hiking around the mountains as for a full days hike it's just too heavy when combined with the other stuff I usually carry.

If your planning just daytime photography then I highly recommend the Redsnapper monopod as an alternative - this works well for me although I use a Pentax which has inbuilt IS, the two combined enable me to get very sharp shots even in relatively low light.

I've carried the Redsnapper up the mountains once or twice, initially attached to the outside of my rucksac - big mistake, it's too bulky & can be a little dangerous when scrambling/passing along tight ridges etc. Now if I want a sunset/sunrise shot I plan the trip purely for this pupose, trim down my other kit & carry the tripod inside my rucksac - a much safer option !!

Simon
 
Like everything, you get what you pay for...

I'd say total cost of my Gitzo GT3530XLS and Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead was in the region of £800, but total weight is about 3 kg. I mount it to the back of my Kata HB-205 bag and considering the bulk of the tripod and head, I'd consider it lightweight. It's an extremely rigid tripod, extending to over 7 foot high and the ballhead is out of this world!

The Benro copies of Gitzo seem to be good value for money, how they compare weight and quality wise is another thing, but the advice given above is very good. With tripods, it's all too easy to buy twice, or in my case seven times :nuts::nuts: when the correct purchase first off will save you lots of money and hassle. If looked after, tripods (certainly Gitzo) will last your lifetime.

In short, a very decent tripod will be lightweight, very stable and be affordable. You get the first two with Gitzo and I had to work b****y hard to make it affordable..

Dogs for the disabled charity did benefit though from my purchasing mistakes; I gave them all to a reasonably local pet shop to sell, with the money raised going in the pot....

Good luck with your choice!
 
Cheers for the replies.

As its going to be my first tripod I would rather get something a bit more weighty that will be stable and last a bit, this being the reason for looking at the Benbo trekker mark III or Redsnapper as they have a comparable weight, and reputably stable and well made.

Further down the line I can add something a lot lighter, like the Gitzo or something made from CF, however funds unfortunately won't stretch that far this time.
I can live with stable + cheap = heavy this time round.

At the stately age of 23 I would like to think the extra Kilo over a Gitzo isn't going to kill me, even though it will maybe look a bit silly compared to all my lightweight hiking gear.

Anybody got anything else to suggest for around the same price as the redsnapper or benbo (£100-130)?
 
Really good advice in this thread, one of the best set of what tripod replies I've seen.
Here's my 2p based on taking a tripod into the hills for a full day...

A sturdy tripod is even more important than usual because of buffeting by the wind. This applies to both the legs and head.
I bought a Benbo Trecker when I first got into photography; I was doing a lot of mountaineering at the time. The legs are adequate but the head had a lot of play and I quickly replaced the original head with Manfrotto ball head. It was over 10 years before I felt the need to upgrade and I've now got Manfrotto 055 legs with a 410 head. The 410 head is a superb bit of kit and I wish I'd been recommended it years earlier. Ball heads are great for quick set up but are a real PITA when it comes to fine adjustment, the 410 is very nearly the best of both worlds.

I'm not convinced by the drive to reduce weight at all costs; I think it is more important how the weight is carried. I know my camera backpack is more uncomfortable after an hour than my big 70litre rucksack after a full day on the hills. Instead of spending lots of money saving one kilo off the tripod, save your money and also purchase a decent large rucksack with a proper adjustable, harness. This also allows you to easily carry all the other kit you will need on the mountains like waterproofs, food, water and spare clothing. You will need all the warm clothing you can carry as soon as you stop to take photos.

I carry a stripped down version of my camera gear with most of it placed in an Ortlieb waterproof sack. I've heard of people using these bags to take camera gear canyoning - they float their kit in front of them as they swim; seriously waterproof! Most important bits of kit are the spare battery (cold kills batteries), spare CF card, cable release and Lee grads. I don't usually bother taking the big lens as I don't seem to use it that much in the mountains. The camera is wrapped in a micro-fleece camping towel which protects the camera nicely and it absorbs any moisture from the camera when it gets wet during use. If you got the camera wet then when you get back, leave the camera out the bag in a warn dry place for a few days.

My tripod gets strapped to the outside of the rucksac. I prefer the back rather than one of the sides as it is better balanced. Because it is a big rucksack the tripod straps securely into the ice-axe straps with the head tucked under the hood. It doesn't swing around even when leaping across streams, etc. It has picked up a few battle scars from downclimbing, but I should really turn to face the rock instead of sliding on my bum; so that's my fault and I'm prepared to live with that.
 
CF benro from ebay, gitzo copies - mega quality and half the price of a gitzo!
 
I have an old Manfrotto 055CB, aluminium legs are still ok (one has a stone jammed up it) locks are a bit rusty here and there, but a shot of bike lube sorts them out
Bit heavier than more modern ones I think, but very sturdy and still going strong

Think my point is get something decent, use it and don't worry too much.
Might also be a good idea to look at spare part availability so you can replace any broken or worn out bits
 
The ideal tripod is always the lightest to carry around ,and the heaviest when you set it up! Has anyone given the 'Major' carbon fibre tripod from Jessops a go, I think it's around £150- which is pretty good value, finger light. The head is ok, though I personally dont like heads that 'pinch' the plate from just two sides, much prefer the socket types (feels a lot secure). Has a central column hook, rubber/spiked feet.

I have a alu benro tri-pod and can't fault it, not too heavy, so far it hasn't let me down (or the camera!)
 
evo456 said:
The ideal tripod is always the lightest to carry around ,and the heaviest when you set it up! Has anyone given the 'Major' carbon fibre tripod from Jessops a go, I think it's around £150- which is pretty good value, finger light. The head is ok, though I personally dont like heads that 'pinch' the plate from just two sides, much prefer the socket types (feels a lot secure). Has a central column hook, rubber/spiked feet.

I have a alu benro tri-pod and can't fault it, not too heavy, so far it hasn't let me down (or the camera!)
Click to expand...

I had a look at the Jessops Major in a store today, had a play around with it and found it easy to use and sturdy enough. So I bought it (They're selling for £100 now).

But having got it home I'm finding that the 'quick release' head is a nightmare. The screw for it is too close to another screw to be able to easily un-screw. If that makes sense?? :bonk:

Tbh I might just be being a bit dense so I'm going to have another try tomorrow and I'll let you know how I get on. If I can't resolve this problem I'm taking it back.
 
Whiters said:
I had a look at the Jessops Major in a store today, had a play around with it and found it easy to use and sturdy enough. So I bought it (They're selling for £100 now).

But having got it home I'm finding that the 'quick release' head is a nightmare. The screw for it is too close to another screw to be able to easily un-screw. If that makes sense?? :bonk:

Tbh I might just be being a bit dense so I'm going to have another try tomorrow and I'll let you know how I get on. If I can't resolve this problem I'm taking it back.
Click to expand...

Yea I bought it as well for £100, the leg section is good. light and sturdy. The head is a different story, I'm never a fan of tilt and pan heads at first, the quick release plate well isn't so quick. I did return it shortly because part of the centre column thread broke off :tumbleweed:. Course I may have got a bad copy, but it was enough to convince me it wasn't going to survive in the field, it didn't manage and hour in my living room!
 
evo456 said:
Yea I bought it as well for £100, the leg section is good. light and sturdy. The head is a different story, I'm never a fan of tilt and pan heads at first, the quick release plate well isn't so quick. I did return it shortly because part of the centre column thread broke off :tumbleweed:. Course I may have got a bad copy, but it was enough to convince me it wasn't going to survive in the field, it didn't manage and hour in my living room!
Click to expand...

In a way I'm glad it's not just me then! I actually screwed the release screw really tight last night and now can't unscrew it at all because it's too close to the next screw to get any sort of decent grip. Goodness knows how you'd manage with it outdoors in this sort of weather, numb fingers and all.

And yes, after a little investigation I realised that bits come apart a bit too easily.

I'll be taking mine back too, you had no trouble getting your money back then?

I'm thinking for a budget option the Giottos MTL 9251 will be a better bet - might not be carbon fibre but it's pretty sturdy and seemed genuinely user-friendly.
 
Whiters said:
In a way I'm glad it's not just me then! I actually screwed the release screw really tight last night and now can't unscrew it at all because it's too close to the next screw to get any sort of decent grip. Goodness knows how you'd manage with it outdoors in this sort of weather, numb fingers and all.

And yes, after a little investigation I realised that bits come apart a bit too easily.

I'll be taking mine back too, you had no trouble getting your money back then?

I'm thinking for a budget option the Giottos MTL 9251 will be a better bet - might not be carbon fibre but it's pretty sturdy and seemed genuinely user-friendly.
Click to expand...

I have thought about that one as well, not too fussed if it's CF or alu as long as the weight isn't too disimilar. My alu benro is about 0.4 kg heavier, but if collapses to a smaller length. Let me know how you get on with the Giottos

I had no problems taking it back, as I explained my case and even showed them where the thread was broken.
 
I bought a carbon fibre Feisol 3301 tripod and it's fantastic. With a hefty ball head (Manfrotto 488) it's about 2kgs. The tripods are about 180 quid.
 
I'd be wary of using WD40 on carbon fibre kit, In my other hobby, Mountainbking, CF is used for lots of components, and it's generally not recommended to use light oils like WD40 as the solvents mixed with the oil can cause the CF to delaminate. Personally, I'd make sure that the tubes are thoroughly clean and dry before storage, maybe giving any alloy/steel fittings a quick wipe over with a light grease and buffing off.
 
Perhaps it's not too late to introduce the First Rule Of Tripods:

Study. Light. Cheap.
Pick any two.
 
Thanks for all the advice, especially about when out and about. :thumbs:
I think I might look into a lightweight tripod a couple years down the line when money is a bit more plentiful (hopefully.) Happy with heavy and stable at the moment.

I ended up going for a benbo trekker, which arrived this morning :) I'm currently trying to get to grips with it, thankfully it doesn't seem as difficult as some would make out.

Another gluebag question for you all--> Whats the dealy with quick release plates? I'll take it I need to add a clamp which will screw onto the ball head thread and then a plate to fit into the clamp that stays attached to the camera/lens?

Many thanks in advance

P.s Merry Chrimbo!!
 
evo456 said:
I have thought about that one as well, not too fussed if it's CF or alu as long as the weight isn't too disimilar. My alu benro is about 0.4 kg heavier, but if collapses to a smaller length. Let me know how you get on with the Giottos

I had no problems taking it back, as I explained my case and even showed them where the thread was broken.
Click to expand...

I had no trouble taking mine back either, clearly not very well made. I've decided I'll probably go with one of the Carbon Fibre Giottos of similar design, probably the 8350B, but haven't bought one yet. Will let you know how I get on.
 
evo456 said:
I have thought about that one as well, not too fussed if it's CF or alu as long as the weight isn't too disimilar. My alu benro is about 0.4 kg heavier, but if collapses to a smaller length. Let me know how you get on with the Giottos

I had no problems taking it back, as I explained my case and even showed them where the thread was broken.
Click to expand...

FAO evo 456 - sorry it's taken me a while to report back. I bought a Giotto 8351B with MH5001 head back in early Jan but due to various unrelated reasons have only just got round to testing it in the field.

Last Thurs I took it to a pond in the New Forest, surrounded by marshland, and my first impressions are that it performed pretty well - very user friendly. The leg height and angles, the centre frame height and the horizontal and vertical positions of the head are all easy to adjust and tighten again. The whole tripod seemed suitably sturdy.

Be warned though it's not particularly light, certainly not light enough imo to fulfil the hiking for several miles criteria that started this thread. However it's probably as light as you're going to get in the c£150-200 price range without compromising on sturdiness, and with my slight build I carried it in a tripod bag for around half a mile there and back over the marshland without discomfort.

It will do for me until I can justify spending c£350-400 on a very light and sturdy tripod.

Which tripod did you choose in the end and how did you get on?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top